Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona University and General Hospital, Verona, Italy.
SSDDU Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica, Department of Medical Sciences, AO Ordine Mauriziano "Umberto I", University of Turin, Corso Re Umberto 109, 10128, Torino, Italy.
Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019 Jun;56(3):269-277. doi: 10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3.
The exact prevalence of hypersensitivity reactions related to sexual behaviours is not known; however, they heavily impact on the quality of life and of sex life of affected patients. In fact, not only common respiratory and skin allergies, such as asthma, rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis, but also food and drug allergy have been found to negatively affect the quality of sex life. Allergic diseases impact on the sexual function in both physical and psychological ways, representing one of the main complaints of a considerable proportion of patients. Sexual behaviours may act as the triggers of allergic reactions or as the carriers of allergens. Food and drug allergens can be carried through human organic fluids, like saliva and semen. Latex in condoms and numerous substances in lubricants, spermicides, topical medications and cosmetics can cause allergic reactions or contact dermatitis. Sexual activity itself is also a potential trigger of symptoms in patients affected by respiratory allergies, like honeymoon asthma and rhinitis. In seminal plasma hypersensitivity, seminal fluid proteins are the culprit allergens. The present review aims at summarizing the state of the art about allergy and sexual behaviours. In clinical practice, the influence of common allergic diseases on the sexual quality of life should be taken carefully into account. Sexual behaviours need to be accounted in the differential diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions, and awareness on those exposure routes should be raised between different specialists and general practitioners.
性行为相关的过敏反应的确切患病率尚不清楚；然而，它们严重影响了受影响患者的生活质量和性生活。事实上，不仅常见的呼吸道和皮肤过敏，如哮喘、鼻炎、荨麻疹和特应性皮炎，而且食物和药物过敏也被发现会对性生活质量产生负面影响。过敏疾病以生理和心理的方式影响性功能，是相当一部分患者的主要投诉之一。性行为可能是过敏反应的触发因素，也可能是过敏原的载体。食物和药物过敏原可以通过人体的有机液，如唾液和精液传播。避孕套中的乳胶和润滑剂、杀精剂、局部用药和化妆品中的许多物质会引起过敏反应或接触性皮炎。性活动本身也是受呼吸道过敏影响的患者症状的潜在触发因素，如蜜月哮喘和鼻炎。在精液过敏中，精液蛋白是罪魁祸首过敏原。本综述旨在总结过敏和性行为的最新研究进展。在临床实践中，应仔细考虑常见过敏疾病对性生活质量的影响。在对过敏反应进行鉴别诊断时需要考虑性行为因素，不同专科医生和全科医生之间应提高对这些暴露途径的认识。
